Technical Hard to start Ducato 1993 1.9d camper

[matt01fish]

Hi All,

I have recently bought an old fiat ducato camper 1993 1.9d and it is very reluctant to start it turns over for ages while a lot of smoke is generated and will in time catch ( if the battery doesn't die first) once going it will run fine and restart on the first turn of the key for the rest of the day but the next day is back to its old tricks lol, I've had the injectors refurbed but the problem remains and I was looking to you guys for some inspiration and to draw on the collective knowledge of the group. Any pointers would be gratefully received and a decent workshop manual wouldn't go a miss something like a Haynes but I know they didn't cover this model, many thanks

 

[jackwhoo]

Fiat engine or Peugeot/Citroen engine?

Post photo of engine

 

[jackwhoo]

When you key on do you get a glow plug light on dash?
Do you wait for the light to go out before trying to start?
Do you know what a glow plug is?
Do you have a volt meter?

 

[cid]

hi, Jackwhoo is on the case. I have a 1996 1.9td. starting procedure is as follows :- switch on. look for glow plug light. wait for light to go out. give it another 10 seconds. start the van. apparently the glow plugs stay on for a short time after the light has gone out and the extra 10 seconds gets them to full temp. i've owned my van for nearly 18 years and she starts first time every time using the method described. if yours doesn't something else is wrong. please keep us informed. all the best, ian.

 

[matt01fish]

Fiat engine or Peugeot/Citroen engine?

Post photo of engine

sorry fiat ill post a pic when I get chance

 

[matt01fish]

When you key on do you get a glow plug light on dash?
Do you wait for the light to go out before trying to start?
Do you know what a glow plug is?
Do you have a volt meter?

hi yes I wait for the light to go out, yes I do have a meter many thanks

 

[Greasytrucker]

Hi All,

I have recently bought an old fiat ducato camper 1993 1.9d and it is very reluctant to start it turns over for ages while a lot of smoke is generated and will in time catch ( if the battery doesn't die first) once going it will run fine and restart on the first turn of the key for the rest of the day but the next day is back to its old tricks lol, I've had the injectors refurbed but the problem remains and I was looking to you guys for some inspiration and to draw on the collective knowledge of the group. Any pointers would be gratefully received and a decent workshop manual wouldn't go a miss something like a Haynes but I know they didn't cover this model, many thanks

Different engine I know but identical common problem of the later 1.9 multijet engine. Quite often solved on that engine by fitting a new starter motor as very funny on cranking speed. My 1.9 Sedici was just the same and a new starter vastly improved things

 

[matt01fish]

sorry fiat ill post a pic when I get chance

 

[bugsymike]

All valid points suggested above by Forum members.
I don't have Haynes but check your engine series number to see if it matches this data as may be of use in the future.
I see it does mention 12 volt heater plugs and standard 10 sec. activation time amongst other data.

 

[matt01fish]

All valid points suggested above by Forum members.
I don't have Haynes but check your engine series number to see if it matches this data as may be of use in the future.
I see it does mention 12 volt heater plugs and standard 10 sec. activation time amongst other data.

thanks ill look into that

 

[matt01fish]

thanks ill look into that

this is my engine circled thanks

 

[jackwhoo]

Make sure glow plugs get voltage when key first on. If not find out why and fix it.

 

[matt01fish]

Make sure glow plugs get voltage when key first on. If not find out why and fix it.

ok thanks ill look into that this weekend and report back

 

[matt01fish]

ok thanks ill look into that this weekend and report back

12v present on the glow plugs

 

[bugsymike]

12v present on the glow plugs

12 volts at each terminal is good.
Another test is with terminal disconnected using a multimeter between heater plug terminal and engine earth to should get a Ohms reading which is a fair test of continuity.
There is another test if you have a good Amp meter at least 30amp scale in series at heater plugs, or a clamp on amp meter which is easier. So when ignition first turned on from cold you should see approx. 10amps drain on scale.

 

[matt01fish]

12 volts at each terminal is good.
Another test is with terminal disconnected using a multimeter between heater plug terminal and engine earth to should get a Ohms reading which is a fair test of continuity.
There is another test if you have a good Amp meter at least 30amp scale in series at heater plugs, or a clamp on amp meter which is easier. So when ignition first turned on from cold you should see approx. 10amps drain on scale.

thanks ill test the ohms but I don't have an amp meter do you know what ohms I should see in a working heater plug and what will the meter display if broken circuit ie infinite

 

[bugsymike]

thanks ill test the ohms but I don't have an amp meter do you know what ohms I should see in a working heater plug and what will the meter display if broken circuit ie infinite

Basically all you really need is a continuity reading, I can't recall an exact figure.
It is just with an amp meter it shows the amount the heater plug is working better.
I suppose if a poor feed to the heater plug from the relay this would show it, where as a voltage has no load/amps but could still show 12 volts etc..
Sorry I am not an electrician, but just found this to be a better test.

 

[matt01fish]

Basically all you really need is a continuity reading, I can't recall an exact figure.
It is just with an amp meter it shows the amount the heater plug is working better.
I suppose if a poor feed to the heater plug from the relay this would show it, where as a voltage has no load/amps but could still show 12 volts etc..
Sorry I am not an electrician, but just found this to be a better test.

don't apologise your input is greatly appreciated, I'll look into this and report back, many thanks

 

[Greasytrucker]

Just a question (unless I’ve missed it somewhere) what mileage has it done? Could be a compression issue if on the higher side. Just a thought

 

[matt01fish]

Just a question (unless I’ve missed it somewhere) what mileage has it done? Could be a compression issue if on the higher side. Just a thought

hi, 130k